Anime fans looking for shows to watch with kids that are still fun for adults will love these series.
Anime has gained massive popularity over the years. With amazing shows like Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball out there, it’s hard to not see why. Still, not all of these staples of animation are the best choices to put on the television with kids in the room.
A lot of parents or older siblings may be looking for shows they can watch with the younger people in the house, but this is easier said than done. Most anime for kids do not cross over to Western nations, at least in relation to series crafted specifically for preschoolers. However, slightly older kids are spoiled for choice.
Updated September 27, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 anime season is here, but does it have any good anime for children?
Dragon Ball DAIMAPuniru Is a Cute Slime (2024)The Lord and the Dog (2024)
Release Date 2024-10-11 2024-10-06 2024-10-10
Genres Action, Fantasy Romance, Comedy Slice of Life, Historical
Studio Toei Animation, A-1 Pictures TOHO animation STUDIO OLM; Live2D Creative Studio
Creator Akira Toriyama Maeda-kun Rie Nishida
A new anime season is about to start, and Fall 2024 should have something for just about everyone. Now, most of the lineup’s biggest names will probably not be good for children. Re:Zero tends to be intense and unsettling, while Uzumaki should be terrifying. Bleach, Blue Exorcist, Rurouni Kenshin, Arifureta, Shangri-La Frontier, and DanMachi are primarily for teenagers and adults, while Natsume’s Book of Friends might be too slow-paced for children. Ranma 1/2’s humor transcends generations, but the anime will probably have some fanservice, at least if it follows the older versions.
Still, Fall 2024 has a couple of anime that should be good for kids. Let’s go through them.
Dragon Ball Daima – The ultimate gateway franchise is back with an anime original, and Dragon Ball Daima appears set to be more in line with the earliest arcs rather than DBZ or Super. Goku and a few other characters find themselves transformed into children, and they have to go to another world in search of a cure. While unlikely to lack action, Daima seems to prioritize adventure and comedy above everything, which should make it an easy pick for older children. The animation looks great too.
Puniru Is a Cute Slime – Based on a children’s manga, Puniru Is a Cute Slime revolves around the unconventional friendship between a boy named Kotarou and his slime called Puniru. When he was young, Kotarou created Puniru to have a friend, only for her to gradually transform into a girl. Now in junior high, Puniru wants to remain a central part of Kotarou’s life, a feeling that is not 100% reciprocated. Blending romance and comedy, this should be a cute little show.
The Lord and the Dog – Who does not love corgis and historical anime? Set during China’s Warring States period, Tono to Inu revolves around the adorable friendship between a lord and his dog. The anime will follow their daily adventures, showing how they both complement each other.
Now, onto the best anime for children ever.19 Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia originally began as a movie but gained so much popularity it was adapted into an episodic series. The show follows Atsuko and her adventures in learning witchcraft at the Luna Nova Magical Academy. It features a colorful cast of characters that make the show incredibly endearing to all the watch it.
It’s also easy to watch for anyone with a Netflix account making it an easy show for potential viewers to see if it follows the three-episode rule.18 School Babysitters
A tragedy-laden backstory aside, School Babysitters is the definition of wholesome and cute. The Kashima siblings are accepted into an academy at no additional cost, with the only requirement being that Ryuichi helps out at its daycare. Considering his brother, Kotaro, will be spending most of his days at this facility, it is not a bad deal for Ryuichi, and he also gets to meet a bunch of fellow students who leave their siblings at the daycare.
School Babysitters is a slice of life comedy with a lot of heart. The show does an impressive job of fleshing out its rather large cast, granting both the teenagers and children time to shine. As long as they are not expecting action, most kids will probably not stop smiling as they watch these characters.17 Silver Spoon
It’s hard to look at Silver Spoon and realize it was created by the very same woman who brought Full Metal Alchemist to life but it’s absolutely true. This show can be a great way to introduce young anime fans to Hiromu Arakawa with a story that isn’t as intense or violent.
Silver Spoon follows Yuugo Hachiken’s adventures at Ooezo Agricultural High School, a place he enrolled in to escape the stress of his everyday life. It can be a great opportunity to learn some realities of farm life for younger viewers while enjoying a lighter story.16 Laid-Back Camp
Although not as exciting as some other anime for kids, Laid-Back Camp is a great all-around family pick that should be able to entertain children, teenagers, and adults; that said, the show might be too slow-paced for very young viewers. This anime is about camping, and it presents a grounded (if slightly idolized) look into the hobby. Ever since she was introduced to the activity by her grandfather, Rin has planned regular solo trips, allowing her an escape from the world and some solitude.
